The Rev. Silvestre “Silito” Romero, rector of St. Philip’s, San Jose and deputy to the 75th General Convention, is one of four chaplains for the House of Deputies, a body of more than 800 lay and clergy deputies.

Chaplains lead the prayers to open each legislative session, lead noonday prayers along with a daily reflection, and offer prayers preceding critical votes. Today, June 16, is the day Silito Romero is the lead chaplain.

In the past, the House of Deputies has had only one chaplain to minister to its deputies; this time, there is a team of four. Chaplains now have an expanded role that includes pastoral care and actively engaging deputies on and off the floor. They are also available to counsel with deputies and deputations as issues arise.

Romero, a first-time deputy who served as a translator at previous conventions, said “General Convention is not about debating resolutions. It’s about how we live together and how we work together. It’s about building community.”

Other chaplains are the Rev. Matt Gunter, a first-time deputy from the Diocese of Chicago; Archdeacon Dena Harrison, bishop-elect and deputy from the Diocese of Texas; and the Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, deputy from the Diocese of Central New York and chaplain at Syracuse University.

Speaking about their role in the House of Deputies, the chaplains pointed to the unity they have found in the midst of their diversity.

“The four of us represent the folk that the world says ought not to have a whole lot in common,” said Matt Gunter. “The world conspires to have us imagine ourselves as being so fundamentally different, and yet we get together and we share our stories.”

“We have a common way of praying,” said Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. “We have a common way of understanding the church, and yet we are coming from the four corners of the globe and creating instant community.”

“I think there is a lot of delight in discovering the riches in one another,” said Dena Harrison. “One of the things we value among our team … is our diversity: who we are and where we come from. If we can come together as a group and live into that diversity and celebrate it, we can offer that to the Convention.”